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ADMISSION to the ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
4 steps

Want to apply to our program? Have you completed a secondary school education or it equivalent? Have you studied English for at least one to two years in high school or college? Are you at least 18 years old?

Do you meet and understand these qualifications?

Qualifications for Admission

• Students must have studied English for at least two years in high school or college.
  
  
  • Our program is designed for students who are at least high beginners, with a basic understanding of English. After taking a placement test, students who do not have basic English proficiency will be required to transfer to another program. F1 students must complete their transfer within 30 days of entering the U.S. to keep their visa status valid.
    
    
• Students must have an equivalent of a B average or higher on high school or university transcripts.

If you answered yes to the questions aboves, you are ready to apply.

1. Prepare the following:
• An ELI application form (print it, fill it out, and mail it). Remember to fill out each section of the application form completely and sign it.


• An official transcript of all secondary or university course work translated into English;
  • Transcripts must
    • show proof of high school graduation
  • show a complete list of courses taken and the grades received in each course
  • be originals, not photocopies
    

  Please note that George Mason University has steadily increased its academic standards in the last several years.  As ELI’s enrollment increases and we prepare a higher percentage of students for future academic degree study at George Mason University, we must ensure that the students who we admit have strong academic backgrounds meeting Mason's academic standards. Because of this, we generally admit students with a B or higher average.
  

• A photocopy of your passport
  
  
• A $75 nonrefundable application fee (check or money order in U.S. dollars made payable to George Mason University)
  
  
• If you need an Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-20 for a student visa, you will also need to send:
  • A financial statement (included in the ELI application form) completed and signed by your sponsor.
  • A bank letter showing $17,500 in a personal, family, or sponsor's account, as indicated on the financial statement.
    • Bank letters must:
      • be originals, not a photocopies
      • be in English
      • NOT have a date that is more than six months earlier than the start of the term to which you apply for admission.
      • clearly show the account holder's name in English (the name of the account holder must match the name on the financial statement).
      • show a balance of at least $17,500 in U.S. dollars. If you have dependents, the bank letter should show an additional balance of $2,500 for your spouse and $1,250 for each child.
        
        
• If you have an embassy scholarship, instead of submitting the bank letter and financial statement, you can submit an “Admission Purpose Only(APO)” letter from your embassy.

• The APO letter must:
  • Show your full name as it appears on your passport/application form
  • NOT have a date that is more than six months earlier than the start of the term to which you apply for admission.
  • State “ESL” or “English Language” for the degree level

Students with scholarships should be aware that the APO letter is not the same as the official financial guarantee. A student who submits an APO letter for admission must also submit an official financial guarantee from their embassy by the start of the term

• Financial guarantees must:
  • Show your full name as it appear on your passport/application form
  • Have an effective date that is not after the date of the first day of the semester
  • Have a void date that is not before the date of the last day of the semester
  • State “ESL” or “English Language for the degree level

• If you are transfering from another U.S. school, you need:
  • A completed transfer form from your current school.
  • Download the ELI transfer form to give to your current school administrator. Complete the first part of the transfer form before you give it to your current school.

1. false one
2. Send these materials to the ELI by the application deadline
   
   
   
3. When you are accepted you receive:
• A letter of acceptance
• Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-20 (for student visa [F-1] applicants only)
• Orientation material


4. Obtain your student visa::
• To study in the United States, you must obtain a student visa before you leave your home country
• To obtain your student visa (F-1), take the Form I-20 and information on your financial resources to an American embassy or consulate in your country. The embassy or consulate will issue your visa.

NOTE: We usually send documents by regular airmail, which may take 3-4 weeks to reach an overseas destination. If you want your I-20 and acceptance letter sent by express mail, please include an additional $35 express mailing fee with your application fee (just include one check for $110).

Get Ready
Plan to arrive in the United States about one week before the course. You will take the ELI placement test a few days before classes begin. This three-hour test includes four parts: writing, listening, grammar, and vocabulary.

 

Enrollment in the ELI does not guarantee admission to George Mason University.  A separate application (specifiy undergraduate or graduate) is required.  For more information, contact: Undergraduate Admissions: http://admissions.gmu.edu/ Graduate Admissions: http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/

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English Language Institute
MSN 4C4
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA
22030-4444 USA
E-mail:
Fax: (703) 993-3664
Phone: (703) 993-3660
Page Last Updated:
June 9, 2011
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